
1974-1. Before driving
4
Driving
WARNING
Observe the following precautions. 
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When starting the vehicle
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped with the  “READY”
indicator is illuminated. This prevents the vehicle from creepi ng.
■ When driving the vehicle
● Do not drive if you are unfamiliar with the location of the brake and accel-
erator pedals to avoid depressing the wrong pedal. 
• Accidentally  depressing  the  accelerator  pedal  instead  of  the  b rake
pedal will result in sudden acceleration that may lead to an accident.
• When  backing  up,  you  may  twist  your  body  around,  leading  to  a  diffi-
culty in operating the pedals. Make sure to operate the pedals  properly.
• Make  sure  to  keep  a  correct  driving  posture  even  when  moving  t he
vehicle only slightly. This allows you to depress the brake and  accelera-
tor pedals properly.
• Depress  the  brake  pedal  using  your  right  foot.  Depressing  the  brake
pedal using your left foot may delay response in an emergency,  result-
ing in an accident.
● The  driver  should  pay  extra  attention  to  pedestrians  when  the  v ehicle  is
powered only  by the electric  motor (traction motor). As there i s  no engine
noise, the pedestrians may misjudge the vehicle’s movement.
● Do not drive the vehicle over or stop the vehicle near flammable materials.
The  exhaust  system  and  exhaust  gases  can  be  extremely  hot. Thes e  hot
parts may cause a fire if there is any flammable material nearby.
● During normal driving, do not turn off the hybrid system. Turni ng the hybrid
system  off  while  driving  will  not  cause  loss  of  steering  or  braking  control,
however,  power  assist  to  the  steering  will  be  lost.  This  will  m ake  it  more
difficult to steer smoothly, so you should pull over and stop t he vehicle as
soon as it is safe to do so. 
In the event of an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible  to stop the
vehicle in the normal way: P. 469
● Use  engine  braking  (downshift)  to  maintain  a  safe  speed  when  driving
down a steep hill. 
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat  and lose
effectiveness. ( P. 219)
● Do  not adjust  the display, the  positions  of  the steering  wheel, the  seat, or
the inside or outside rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control.
● Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of  their body
are not outside the vehicle. 

2004-1. Before driving
WARNING
Observe the following precautions. 
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When the vehicle is parked
● Do  not  leave  a  door  or  window  open  if  the  curved  glass  is  coate d  with  a
metallized film such as a silver-colored one. Reflected sunligh t may cause
the glass to act as a lens, causing a fire.
● Always  apply  the  parking  brake,  shift  the  shift  lever  to  P,  stop  the  hybrid
system and lock the vehicle.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended while the “READY” indicator  is illumi-
nated. 
If the vehicle is parked with the shift lever in P but the park ing brake is not
set, the vehicle may start to move, possibly leading to an acci dent.
● Do not touch the exhaust pipes while the “READY” indicator is i lluminated
or immediately after turning the hybrid system off.
Doing so may cause burns.
■ When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always  turn  the  hybrid  system  off.  Otherwise,  if  you  accidentally  move  the
shift lever or depress the accelerator pedal, this could cause  an accident or
fire due to hybrid system overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in
a  poorly  ventilated  area,  exhaust  gases  may  collect  and  enter  the  vehicle,
leading to death or a serious health hazard.
■ When braking
● When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously.
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and this ma y cause
one  side  of  the  vehicle  to  brake  differently  than  the  other  sid e. Also,  the
parking brake may not securely hold the vehicle.
● If  the  electronically  controlled  brake  system  does  not  operate,   do  not  fol-
low other vehicles closely and avoid hills or sharp turns that require brak-
ing.
In  this  case,  braking  is  still  possible,  but  the  brake  pedal  sh ould  be
depressed more firmly than usual. Also, the braking distance wi ll increase.
Have your brakes fixed immediately.
● The  brake  system  consists  of  2  or  more  individual  hydraulic  systems;  if
one  of  the  systems  fails,  the  other(s)  will  still  operate.  In  this  case,  the
brake  pedal  should  be  depressed  more  firmly  than  usual  and  the  braking
distance will increase. Have your brakes fixed immediately.  

2104-2. Driving procedures
Modes can be changed by pressing the power switch with brake pedal
released. (The mode changes each  time the switch is pressed.)
Off
*
The  emergency  flashers  can  be
used.
ACCESSORY mode
Some  electrical  components  such
as the audio system can be used.
A  message  indicating  how  to  start
the hybrid system will be displayed
on the multi-information display.
ON mode
All  electrical  components  can  be
used.
A  message  indicating  how  to  start
the hybrid system will be displayed
on the multi-information display.
*: If the shift lever is in a position other than P when turning  off the hybrid sys-
tem, the power switch will be turned to ACCESSORY mode, not to off.
If  the  hybrid  system  is  stopped  with  the  shift  lever  in  a  position  other
than  P,  a  message  indicating  to  shift  the  shift  lever  to  P  will   be  dis-
played on the multi-information display. At this time, the powe r switch
will  not  be  turned  off  but  instead  be  turned  to  ACCESSORY  mode.
Perform the following procedure to turn the switch off:
Check that the park ing brake is set.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Check  that  “Turn  Power  Off”  is  displayed  on  the  multi-informati on
display and then press the power switch once.
Check  that  “Turn  Power  Off”  on  the  multi-information  display  is
turned off.
Changing power switch modes
1
2
3
When  stopping  the  hybrid  system  with  the  shift  lever  in  a  posi-
tion other than P
1
2
3
4 

2134-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
WARNING
■When starting th e hybrid system
Always  start  the  hybrid  system  while  sitting  in  the  driver’s  se at.  Do  not
depress  the  accelerator  pedal  while  starting  the  hybrid  system  under  any
circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious in jury.
■ Caution while driving
If  hybrid  system  failure  occurs  while  the  vehicle  is  moving,  do   not  lock  or
open  the  doors  until  the  vehicle  reaches  a  safe  and  complete  st op. Activa-
tion of the steering lock in this circumstance may lead to an a ccident, result-
ing in death or serious injury.
■ Stopping the hybrid system in an emergency
● If  you  want  to  stop  the  hybrid  system  in  an  emergency  while  driving  the
vehicle,  press  and  hold  the  power  switch  for  more  than  2  second s,  or
press it briefly 3 times or more in succession. ( P. 469)
However,  do  not  touch  the  power  switch  while  driving  except  in  an  emer-
gency.  Turning  the  hybrid  system  off  while  driving  will  not  cau se  loss  of
steering  or  braking  control,  however,  power  assist  to  the  steer ing  will  be
lost.  This  will  make  it  more  difficult  to  steer  smoothly,  so  yo u  should  pull
over and stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
● If  the  power  switch  is  operated  while  the  vehicle  is  running,  a   warning
message  will  be  shown  on  the  multi-information  display  and  a  bu zzer
sounds.
● When  restarting  the  hybrid  system  after  an  emergency  shutdown  w hile
driving,  press  the  power  switch.  When  restarting  the  hybrid  sys tem  after
stopping  the  vehicle,  change  the  shift  position  to  P  and  then  press  the
power switch.
■ When parking
Exhaust  gases  include  harmful  carbon  monoxide  (CO),  which  is  colorless
and odorless. Observe the following precautions.
Failure  to  do  so  may  cause  exhaust  gases  to  enter  the  vehicle  a nd  may
lead to an accident caused by light-headedness, or may lead to  death or a
serious health hazard.
● If  the  vehicle  is  in  a  poorly  ventilated  area  or  a  closed  area,  such  as  a
garage, stop the hybrid system.
● Do not leave the vehicle with the hybrid system operating for a long time. If
such a situation cannot be avoided, park the vehicle in an open space and
ensure that exhaust fumes do not enter the vehicle interior.
● Do not leave the hybrid system operating in an area with snow build-up, or
where  it  is  snowing.  If  snowbanks  build  up  around  the  vehicle  w hile  the
hybrid system is operating, exhaust gases may collect and enter  the vehi-
cle. 

2144-2. Driving procedures
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt b attery discharge
● Do not leave the power switch in ACCESSORY or ON mode for long  peri-
ods of time without the hybrid system on.
● If “ACCESSORY” or “IGNITION ON” is displayed on the multi-infor mation
display, the power switch is not off. Exit the vehicle after tu rning the power
switch off.
● Do  not  stop  the  hybrid  system  when  the  shift  lever  is  in  a  position  other
than  P.  If  the  hybrid  system  is  stopped  in  another  shift  lever  position,  the
power switch will not be turned off but instead be turned to ACCESSORY
mode.  If  the  vehicle  is  left  in  ACCESSORY  mode,  12-volt  battery  dis-
charge may occur.
■ When starting th e hybrid system 
● Do not depress the accelerator pedal unnecessarily.
● If  the  hybrid  system  becomes  difficult  to  start,  have  your  vehicle  checked
by your Toyota dealer immediately.
■ Symptoms indicating a malfunc tion with the power switch
If the power switch seems to be operating somewhat differently  than usual,
such  as  the  switch  sticking  slightly,  there  may  be  a  malfunctio n.  Contact
your Toyota dealer immediately. 

2294-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
Turns the brake hold system on
The  brake  hold  standby  indicator
(green)  comes  on.  While  the  sys-
tem  is  holding  the  brakes,  the
brake  hold  operated  indicator  (yel-
low) will illuminate.
*1: Brake hold standby indicator
*2: Brake hold operated indicator
■Brake hold system operating conditions
The brake hold system cannot be turned on in the following cond itions:
● The driver’s door is not closed.
● The driver’s seat belt is not buckled.
If either of the above is detected when the brake hold system i s enabled, the
system  will  turn  off  and  the  brake  hold  standby  indicator  light  will  go  off.  In
addition, if any of the conditions are detected while the system is holding the
brakes,  a  warning  buzzer  will  sound  and  a  message  will  be  shown   on  the
multi-information display. The parking brake will then be set a utomatically.
Brake Hold
The  brake  hold  system  keeps  the  brake  applied  when  the  shift
lever is in D, S or N with the system on and the brake pedal has
been  depressed  to  stop  the  vehicle.  The  system  releases  the
brake  when  the  accelerator  pedal  is  depressed  with  the  shift
lever in D or S to allow smooth start off.
*1*2 

2784-5. Using the driving support systems
This mode employs a radar sensor to detect the presence of vehi cles
up  to  approximately  328  ft.  (100  m)  ahead,  determines  the  curre nt
vehicle-to-vehicle following distance, and operates to maintain  a suit-
able following distance from the vehicle ahead.
Note  that  vehicle-to-vehicle  distance  will  close  in  when  travel ing  on  long
downhill slopes.
Example of constant speed cruising
When there are no  vehicles ahead
The  vehicle  travels  at  the  speed  set  by  the  driver. The  desired  vehicle-to-
vehicle  distance  can  also  be  set  by  operating  the  vehicle-to-ve hicle  dis-
tance switch.
Example of deceleration crui sing and follow-up cruising
When  a  preceding  vehicle  driving  slower  than  the  set  speed
appears
When a vehicle is detected running ahead of you, the system automatically
decelerates  your  vehicle.  When  a  greater  reduction  in  vehicle  s peed  is
necessary,  the  system  applies  the  brakes  (the  stop  lights  will  come  on  at
this time). The system will respond to changes in the speed of  the vehicle
ahead in order to maintain the vehicle-to-vehicle distance set by the driver.
Approach  warning  warns  you  when  the  system  cannot  decelerate  su ffi-
ciently to prevent your vehicle from closing in on the vehicle  ahead.
When the vehicle ahead of you stops, your vehicle will also stop (vehicle is
stopped by system control). After the vehicle ahead starts off, pressing the
“+  RES”  switch  or  depressing  the   accelerator  pedal  will  resume follow-up
cruising.
Driving in vehicle-to-vehi cle distance control mode
1
2 

2824-5. Using the driving support systems
After  the  vehicle  ahead  of  you
starts  off,  press  the  “+  RES”
switch.
Your  vehicle  will  also  resume  fol-
low-up  cruising  if  the  accelerator
pedal  is  depressed  after  the  vehi-
cle ahead of you starts off.
Pressing the cancel switch can-
cels the speed control.
The speed control is also canceled
when  the  brake  pedal  is
depressed.
(When  the  vehicle  has  been
stopped  by  system  control,
depressing  the  brake  pedal  does
not cancel the setting.)
Pressing the “+ RES” switch resumes the cruise control and retu rns
vehicle speed to  the set speed.
However,  when  a  vehicle  ahead  is  not  detected,  cruise  control  does  not
resume when the vehicle speed is approximately 25 mph (40 km/h)  or less.
Resuming follow-up cruising when the vehicle has been stopped
by system control (vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode)
Canceling and resuming the speed control
1
2